Dianthus plant named &#39;WP10 ELE04&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dianthus  plant named ‘WP10 ELE04’ which is characterized by compact mounding habit, glaucous, blue green foliage and fragrant double light shell pink flowers. In combination, these characteristics set ‘WP10 ELE04’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dianthus  known to the inventor.

GENUS

DIANTHUS

SPECIES

×hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘WP10 ELE04’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f)of the application for a grant of European Community Plant BreedersRights which was filed for the instant plant variety on Jun. 25, 2010,Application Number 2010/1269.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hardyDianthus, also known as garden pink, which is grown for use as aflowering plant for pots and containers and for planting in the gardenand landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Dianthus×hybridaand will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘WP10 ELE04’.

‘WP10 ELE04’ is a complex hybrid plant that is the product of a longterm breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area ofHoundspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom The inventor selected ‘WP10ELE04’ in 2004 for its highly fragrant flowers which are double andlight shell pink in color.

‘WP10 ELE04’ resulted from the controlled pollination between twoearlier selections of Dianthus from the inventor's breeding program,namely Dianthus ‘Devon Flavia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,903) as maleparent and Selection “FLA 02.13” (unpatented and unreleased) as femaleparent.

‘WP10 ELE04’ is distinguishable from the male parent as follows: Whereasthe plant of ‘WP10 ELE04’ has a compact habit, the habit of the maleparent is taller and more vigorous. In addition, the flowers of the maleplant are larger, double and light pink in color, with a reddish-purple“eye”. The petals of the male parent are more fimbriated than the petalsof ‘WP10 ELE04’.

‘WP10 ELE04’ is distinguishable from the female parent as follows: Thefemale plant is taller flowering than ‘WP10 ELE04’ which has a morecompact mounding habit.

The variety of Dianthus which is considered by the inventor to mostclosely resemble ‘WP10 ELE04’ is the inventor's variety and male parent,Dianthus ‘Devon Flavia’ which is compared above.

Asexual reproduction of ‘WP10 ELE04’ was first accomplished by theinventor in 2004 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, United Kingdom. Themethod of asexual propagation used was vegetative cuttings. The inventorhas determined that ‘WP10 ELE04’ is stable and reproduces true to typein successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new Dianthus cultivar ‘WP10 ELE04’. These traitsin combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercialvarieties known to the inventor. ‘WP10 ELE04’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

1. Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ exhibits a compact mounding habit.

2. The flowers of Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ are double.

3. The flowers of Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ are light shell pink in color.

4. Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ blooms from May through October.

5. Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ exhibits glaucous blue-green foliage.

6. At nine months of age, the height of the foliage mound of Dianthus‘WP10 ELE04’ is 18 cm to 22 cm, and the width is 15 cm to 20 cm.

7. Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ is perennial and is hardy to −15° C.

8. Dianthus ‘WP10 ELE04’ is suitable for use as a flowering plant inpots and containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dianthus variety ‘WP10 ELE04’ showing colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘WP10 ELE04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an entire flowering plant of ‘WP10ELE04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower of‘WP10 ELE04’.

All drawings were made from 9 months old plants which have been grown in1.5-litre containers in a cold glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. Nochemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possibleby conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘WP10ELE04’. Data was collected from 1.5-litre container plants in spring,and grown indoors in Devon, United Kingdom. The color determinations arein accordance with the 2002 edition of the Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The colors of stems,leaves, calyx, and epicalyx have been noted on plants which retain thecharacteristic waxy bloom of Dianthus. No chemicals were used to treatthe plants. Growing conditions are typical to other Dianthus.

-   Botanical classification:-   Family: Caryophyllaceae-   Genus: Dianthus-   Species: ×hybrida-   Denomination: ‘WP10 ELE04’-   Parentage: A complex Dianthus hybrid that resulted from the open    pollination between the following parent plants:-   Male parent: Dianthus ‘Devon Flavia’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,903).-   Female parent: Unpatented selection of Dianthus from the inventor's    breeding program, known as Selection “FLA 02.13”.-   Plant type: Flowering perennial.-   Use of plant: As a flowering plant in containers, window boxes,    planters, pots and the garden.-   Bloom period: May-October in Devon, UK.-   Plant habit: A compact mound with many branches and stems upright.-   Height of plant: 18 cm to 22 cm after 9 months.-   Width of plant: 15 cm to 20 cm after 9 months.-   Hardiness: Has survived in temperatures of minus 15 Centigrade,    equivalent to USDA Hardiness Zone 5.-   Root system: Many fibrous roots.-   Propagation method: Vegetative stem cuttings.-   Cultural requirements: Grow in full sun, in well drained and    moderately fertile soil, keep well fertilized and watered.-   Diseases and pests: No particular resistance or susceptibility to    Dianthus diseases and pests are known to the inventor.-   Temperature for rooting: A minimum of 15° C. air temperature and    21° C. base temperature at root level is required to produce roots    on the cuttings.-   Time to root cuttings: 10-14 days are required to produce roots on a    vegetative cutting using the rooting temperatures above.-   Facilities for rooting: Mist propagation unit is required for    satisfactory rooting of cuttings.-   Crop time (from planting a rooted cutting): 3 months starting in the    Spring and 6 months starting in the Fall.-   Plant stem:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Height.—14 cm to 16 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm in diameter.        -   Surface.—Glabrous and glaucous.        -   Color.—188A.        -   Branching.—Numerous shoots from the axils of the lower            leaves.        -   Internode length.—From 20 mm (lowest internode) to 55 mm            (uppermost internode).        -   Node dimensions.—5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length.-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Decurrent.        -   Venation.—Not prominent.        -   Margins.—Entire.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite and spiraling on stem.        -   Attachment.—Sheathing.        -   Surface (adaxial and abaxial).—Glaucous.        -   Stipules.—Absent.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 8.5 cm to 9 cm. Width: 4 mm to 5 mm.        -   Color.—Adaxial surface: Ranges between N138A and N138C.            Abaxial surface: Ranges between N138A and N138C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flower stem.—Length: 14-16 cm. Width: 3 mm. Stem strength:            Erect. Stem color: 188A.        -   Inflorescence.—Cymose.        -   Type.—Salviform, symmetrical.        -   Development.—Singly, in sequence from the uppermost bud.-   Buds:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Dimensions.—18 mm in length and 9 mm in width.        -   Color.—Ranges between 137C and 137D.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.-   Flowers:    -   -   Number.—4 to 5 per stem.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—14 cm-16 cm length and 3 mm in width.        -   Pedicel strength.—Erect.        -   Pedicel color.—188A.        -   Flower dimensions.—Length (including calyx): 36 mm.            Diameter: 40 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Circular.        -   Flower profile.—Reflexed.        -   Lastingness.—10 days at 20° C., on the plant.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate, floral.        -   Flowering period.—May to October, in Devon, United Kingdom.-   Corolla:    -   -   Shape (upper part of corolla).—Convex.        -   Shape (lower part of corolla).—Concave.        -   Petal arrangement.—Persistent, apopetalous, overlapping.        -   Petal margin.—Crenate-dentate.        -   Indentation.—Varies between 0 mm and 1 mm.        -   Petal texture.—Soft.        -   Flower type.—Double.        -   Petal number.—Ranges from 15 to 20.        -   Petal dimension.—Length: 35 mm. Width: 20 mm.        -   Color pattern.—Blade color changes from light pink with thin            band of darker pink when fresh, turning white with age.        -   Color of surfaces (both upper and lower).—Ground color of            blade: 69C. Color of band across blade: 62C. Color of middle            of strap: 145C. Color of base of strap: 145C.        -   Petal shape.—Obdeltoid.        -   Petal apex.—Fan shaped.        -   Petal base.—Strap shaped, tapering towards base.        -   Petal surface.—Glabrous.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical, parallel sides.        -   Sepal apex.—Subacute.        -   Sepal base.—Fused.        -   Longitudinal profile.—Flat.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 20 mm. Diameter: 11 mm.        -   Sepals.—Fused to 4-8 mm below the subacute apex.        -   Sepals: 5 in number.        -   Sepals color, outer surface.—Ranges between 137C towards            sepal apex, fading to 137D at sepal base.        -   Sepals color, inner surface.—144C.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Splitting.—Not observed.-   Epicalyx:    -   -   Bracts number.—2 arranged as opposite pair.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate; base truncate, apex acute.        -   Dimensions.—Width (at base): 3 mm. Length: 12 mm.        -   Color.—N138A.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.-   Bracteoles:    -   -   Number.—1 pair of two.        -   Dimensions.—Width: 10 mm. Length: 12 mm.        -   Color.—N138A.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Absent.        -   Pollen.—Absent.        -   Style.—Number: 2. Shoulder: Absent. Color: White. Length: 20            mm-25 mm Width: Less than 1 mm.        -   Stigma.—Number: 1 stigma per style Attachment: Barely            discernable, linear, runs along length of style. Dimensions:            20 mm-25 mm; width: less than 0.5 mm Color: White.        -   Ovary.—Position: Superior. Dimensions: Length: 7 mm.            Diameter: 4 mm. Shape: Spindle. Color (upper surface): 145B.            Color (lower surface): 145C.        -   Seed.—Seed has not been found during repeated observations.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘WP10 ELE04’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.